5
Now Judas had pitched his tents at Elasa, and three thousand chosen men with him,
6
who, seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, were sore afraid, whereupon many removed themselves out of the host, insomuch that there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.
7
When Judas therefore saw that his host slipped away and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sorely troubled in mind and much distressed, for he had no time to gather them together.
8
Nevertheless unto those who remained he said, "Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if perhaps we may be able to fight against them."
9
But they attempted to dissuade him, saying, "We shall never be able. Let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren and fight against them; for we are but few."
10
Then Judas said, "God forbid that I should do this thing, and flee away from them! If our time has come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honor."
11
With that, the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents and stood arrayed against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host; and those who marched in the forefront were all mighty men.
12
As for Bacchides, he was on the right wing; so the host drew near on the two parts and sounded their trumpets.
13
Those also on Judas' side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies, and the battle continued from morning till night.
14
Now when Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right wing, he took with him all the hardy men,
15
who discomfited the right wing and pursued them unto Mount Azotus.